Frank Reich is fired as Carolina Panthers head coach after less than a season in charge after the team suffered its 10th loss of the campaign against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12
The man appointed this past offseason to supervise the development of quarterback Bryce Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is Reich, a quarterback for the Panthers in 1995.
The decision was made as the Panthers prepare for their sixth consecutive losing season following their 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Reich’s departure was confirmed by Panthers owner David Tepper in a statement. Chris Tabor, the coordinator of special teams, will assume the position of interim head coach.
While everything is going on, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who took over for Reich a few weeks ago, will have senior assistant Jim Caldwell as a special advisor.
After Josh McDaniels was fired by the Las Vegas Raiders in the middle of the season, Reich is the second head coach to be sacked in this fashion.
The Panthers offense, which traded wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a first-round pick and the opportunity to move up to the top slot in order to acquire the Alabama quarterback, has struggled all season due to a lack of personnel to surround Bryce Young.
After completing just 216 of 350 passes (61.7%) for 1,877 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions, Young has left Carolina in 30th place overall, 30th in passing, 29th in rushing, and 29th in scoring.
The amazing rookie campaign of CJ Stroud, who was selected by the Houston Texans earlier this year as the No. 2 overall pick after Young, hasn’t helped the optics either.
Reich’s time with the Panthers, which ended after just 11 games, is now the shortest of any NFL head coach since 1978. Additionally, it’s the second time in a row that Tepper has fired a coach during the season. Matt Rhule was sacked five games into the season, and Steve Wilkes took over as interim manager.
Notably, Reich was let go as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts following Week Nine of the previous campaign.
